Tablet computers

[Roobarb]

I'd like to ask some questions that may appear a bit silly, no silly answers please, I can provide them myself! 

Do tablet computers operate like my laptop or my smartphone, or a combination of the two? I don't mean the general use of them but in connecting to the internet.

If I use my laptop at home I connect to my own router. If I use it away from home, for instance in a hotel, I use Wifi or BTFon. (Last time I tried to connect to a hotel's Cloud Wifi my computer just wouldn't allow it so ended up using BTFon.) If I'm at home or away my smartphone accesses the internet anyway. (I don't use it for internet when I'm abroad).

If I wanted to use a tablet at home, presumably I'd connect to my router? What if I was away from home, would I use Wifi? And what if I was outdoors and wanted to use a an app, for instance a map with directions that uses GPS?

Does a tablet have a memory card slot? And a USB slot?

Sorry if this sounds stupid but I don't know the answers and if I look up things like this on the internet I sometimes have to trawl through masses of technical stuff to find the answer. I'm sure some Rootschatters will be able to explain in non geek terms. 

[jc26red]

Not a silly question at all.
Generally speaking there are two types of tablet you can buy, one is wifi only and the other is 3G and needs a data sim card.

The wifi only works the same as your laptop, connects to a router if you have the password but will not connect to the internet outside where there is no wifi router found.

 The 3G type of tablet, has a slot which you can insert a data sim and works like your smart phone, hence you can connect anywhere but you do need to pay for the sim data usage either on contract or monthly. If you don't insert a sim card, this type of tablet will then only connect using wifi, same as the wifi only tablet.
The US ipad comes in two versions of 3G, one is verizon (no sim card data but Verizon only connection) and the other type is with sim card but you are limited to certain sim data companies.

As well as the above considerations, tablets come with varing amounts of internal memory. Non apple tablets usually have a memory card slot so that you can add extra memory.

In short, I would advise you to carefully read the technical specifications of any tablet you may be thinking of buying and compare as prices vary greatly depending on the spec.

[[Ray]]

Hi

It may help you if you actually write down what you want to do with it [before you buy].
Then list the units you think you like and what they give individually.

Then before you buy, ask this forum.

Ray

[km1971]

If you google tablet review you will see what is available and what professional reviewers say about them. If you add forum to your search you will see what sort of problems users are having and other comments as there seems to be a forum for everything these days.

Most reviewers have the Nexus 7 and iPad mini at the top of the pile. Both have WiFi and bluetooth, and you can buy 3G versions. You cannot expand the memory on either. The Nexus 7 has a microUSB and the Apple has its own version for which you have get an USB adaptor. I have a 32Gb Nexus 7 with 3G and I am very pleased with it. It has Gorilla glass so can take a knock. It comes with built in GPS based on Google maps. I use it with a sim from Giff Gaff who charge £5 a month for 500mb download (to £12 for 3Gb a month). They use the O2 network and I usually get 2-3Mb download speed even at busy periods. Whereas my Three doogle can drop to half a meg.

I dont have WiFi at home so just leave it on 3G.

Ken

[Roobarb]

Thank you for all the advice. Jc26red, thank you for explaining it so clearly.  I would probably want 3G - is the SIM a special type or just the same as in a mobile phone? Is it pay as you go available?

I took part in a previous thread about chosing a tablet, I wouldn't want to pay a lot as it would only be for occasional use so I think I can discount the ipad!

[jc26red]

You would need a 3g sim, I've just bought a paygo one from a........n.   its a 3 one and cost just over £11 for 3gb of download to be used within 3 months, I can top up online if I need more.

3G tablets do cost more than straightforward wifi ones. Hence i have just bought a mifi dongle which is a transportable router which i can use with my wifi ipad or laptop when out and about.

[Plummiegirl]

I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes).  And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.

There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.

[confused73]

Hi I got a sony tablet Christmas 2011, and once I got used to it I was delighted with it. I just have wifi (and blue tooth which I have never used.) I took it away last year in our caravan and used my wifi on one site, the other had a wifi connection so used that. Have also used it in the car (when a passenger) . I like it so much I only use my main computer when I want to use my printer. Only regret it has no usb slot. I find it quite easy to have at my side and write, in fact easier than peering at my main computer

I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes).  And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.

There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.

I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes).  And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.

There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.

[confused73]

Hi I got a sony tablet Christmas 2011, and once I got used to it I was delighted with it. I just have wifi (and blue tooth which I have never used.) I took it away last year in our caravan and used my wifi on one site, the other had a wifi connection so used that. Have also used it in the car (when a passenger) . I like it so much I only use my main computer when I want to use my printer. Only regret it has no usb slot. I find it quite easy to have at my side and write, in fact easier than peering at my main computer

I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes).  And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.

There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.

I too have been considering replacing my laptop with a tablet and then it dawned on me that with a tablet in my hands I would not be able to write anything down (always making notes).  And even if I lay the tablet down I would then be struggling to see the screen.

There are a few tablets around which are multipurpose ie they can also be transformed into a laptop style but I do believe that they are quite expensive.